Improvement in hydrants



'0. MGCUMAS.

Patented May 19, 1874.

Wfl/0560.5

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

cHARLEs MccoMAs, on BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IMPRovEMi-:NST IN HvoRANTs.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 151.042, dated May 19, 1874; application iiledl April 29, i874.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that l, CHARLES McGoMAs, of Baltimore, in the county of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hydrants, of which the following is a specication:

This invention relates to certain improvements in that class of hydrants which arc provided with a tubular valve-stem, subserving also the functions of a discharge-pipe, and it has for its object to simplify the construction of such hydrants, to properly guide the movement of the discharge-pipe, and to prevent the accumulation of waste water in the same. The invention consists in applying a hollow plunger to the lower end of a tubular valve-stein or discharge-tube, which moves in a casing or chamber connected with a water-supply pipe, said plunger having one or more apertures in its top plate, and a perforated lower plate for permitting the water accumulating in the discharge-tube to pass into the plunger-casing, and to permit the water to pass into thelowcr part of said casing when the discharge-tube is raised.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a vertical sectional view of a hydrant embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view ofthe plunger or strainerv 'and its attached valve.

A designates a cylindrical casing or chamber, which is designed to be secured to a basesupport by means of suitable flanges and fastening-bolts. The lower portion of the chamber is reduced in diameter to form a neck, B, from which emanates a supply-pipe, C, connected with the water-main or service-pipe. The top of the chamber or casing A is closed by a detachable cap plate or head, D, from which rises vertically a stationary tube or cylindrical jacket, E, the lower end of which is secured by a screw-connection, or otherwise,

to the cap-plate of the casing. F represents a tubular valve-stem or movable water'discharge pipe, which fits snugly within the jacket E, and extends out through a screwcap, a, applied to the upper end of the jacket.

A collar, b, having handles, is located below said cap, so as to enable the discharge-tube to be detached from the casing A. The valvestem or discharge-pipe carries at its lower end a hollow plunger or piston, G, which is composed of a top plate and circumferential rim, formed in one piece, and a detachable bottom plate, G. rlhe plunger is provided with an encircling packing of leather, or other suitable material, for insuring a tight t of the saine in respect to the casing. The bottom plate G of the plunger is perforated over its entire surface, with the exception of the central portion, on which is formed, or to which is attached, a valve-stem, H, carrying a diskvalve, I. Said valve is seated in an opening made in a removable bottom plate, J, of the plunger-casing.

ln practice, the valve-stem or discharge tube is raised by any appropriate devices, so as to elevate the valve from its seat, when the water will iiow into the plunger-casing, and through the perforated bottom plate of the plunger into the discharge-tube, from whence it is conducted to its outlet. The water, by its passage through the perforated bottom plate of the plunger, is purified or strained, so as to prevent the passage of grit or foreign substances into the discharge-tube.

In order to prevent the accumulation of waste water in the discharge-tube, I propose to form in the top head or plate of the plunger and its packing-disk one or more apertures,

L, through which the water left in the discharge-tube, after the valve is closed, will enter the plunger-casing. The water above the plunger will, in the act of raising the same, pass through the apertures L, so as to oifer no resistance to the movement ofthe plunger. M designates a spiral spring, which encircles the discharge-tube above the plunger, so as to `return the same to its normal position after the lifting-pressure is removed, and to hold the valve firmly down upon its seat.

The tubular discharge-pipe, by reason of its inclosure within a closely-encircling tube or jacket, is guided in its movement in an effeotu'al manner; and, furthermore, it is alsol lower plate, in combination with the easing and discharge-pipe, substantially as herein `described'. y

In testimony that I elairn the foregolng I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of April, 1874.

l CHARLES MCCOMAS. Witnesses JAMES L. NORRIS, ALBERT H. NoRRIs. 

